Doin' That Front Porch Thang...

With news of the devastation in Oklahoma, I want to say how very sad I am, as we all are, for those who have lost everything. Praying for some relief for everyone affected.

Things are coming along here. Several days ago I posted ideas for decorating my front porch, which you can read HERE.

I am nowhere near finished, but have been making a start at the porch re-do. It has been somewhat hindered by our new tenants, the bees. Several phone calls and no one seems able to give us a quote on removing said bees. Therefore, I'm trying to garden and decorate, albeit a little jumpy as the bees get too friendly. Dive bombing bees can be disconcerting! So far I haven't been stung, so I carry on.

Here are a few things I've been working on:

The easiest quick fix I've done so far for the porch has been painting the pots. I've decided to go with black, although I'll probably add in some more colorful pots as the summer goes on. Funny how much difference a quick coat of paint can make.

From YUK:

To NOT TOO SHABBY:

(Look how much more the details on the planter show up.)

After I dusted the pots, making sure to rub off any chipping paint, it took two coats of black spray paint to give them a good cover.  I've got quite a few more to do, but need to make another trip to Home Depot to replenish my spray paint supply!

A few weeks ago I made a wreath for the front door. It looked pretty cute for the beginning of Spring.

But I decided it should be in full bloom by now! Enter the glue gun and some more fake flowers from the dollar store:

Next up I bought some curtains. I found some sheer panels at Big Lots, which were on sale for $5. I was thinking of something more colorful, but now I'm pleased that I chose a more neutral light brown.

 

I used tension rods to hang the curtains. I'm not too happy with the "brass", so the rods will get a spray with white paint in the near future. I love the way the curtains flutter in the breeze. They really make the porch look cozy. In fact, I took them down to adjust, and when Big A walked out he commented how boring the porch looked without them. They just seem to fit the space.

 

Next up is painting the rockers. They have a matching little table, which I guinea pigged and painted an "espresso" brown. I wanted to make sure that I didn't prefer brown before I committed to painting the chairs. Now that I've painted the table, I'm certain I want them to be a glossy black as I originally thought.

 

 

 

The brown looks a little too BLAH to me. Don't you think?  

Now, just to keep it real, let me tell you about a little mishap I had. When I went to take the lid off the spray paint to paint some of the pots, I happened to pop off the little white spray nozzle. This happens once in a while.

And it's an easy fix. But in my infinite wisdom, I tried to push the little white spray thingy back on, and proceeded to spray myself full in the face. (Not so smart. And not so pretty. Spray paint does not double as eye-shadow as it turns out.)

With my face painted and my eyes burning, I felt my way (arms out, eyes scrunched closed) up the cellar stairs and down the hall to the bathroom to wash my face. And I thought, "Ooh, that's why they say to wear protective goggles".

So, regardless of my mishap - the show must go on. I have to paint the chairs, find rugs, finish the pots, and then PLANT. I also plan to paint the front door black, but I need help from Big A on that one. I'm planning on having this done by Memorial Day. Yeah, next week.

In the meantime, hopefully, I will manage to get rid of the bees. And keep the air-headedness to a minimum.

So what about you? Do you have any outdoor projects going on? I'd love to see them!


Linking today:

TUESDAY

One Project at a Time at A Bowl Full of Lemons

Transformation Tuesday at The Ironstone Nest

Nifty Thrifty Tuesday at Coastal Charm

The Scoop at Cedar Hill Ranch 

Project Inspired{d}at Cupcakes and Crinoline

You're Gonna Love It at Kathe with an E

Transformed Tuesdays at PJH Designs

Tweak It Tuesday at Cozy Little House

Take a Look Tuesday at Sugar Bee Crafts

Be Inspired at Elizabeth and Co

Pretty Things Link Party at twelveOeight

Time to Shine at A Diamond in the Stuff

Too Cute Tuesday at Funky Polkadot Giraffe

The Power of Paint Party at Domestically Speaking 

Creatively Tuesday at The Rustic Pig

Show Me What You Got at Not Just a Housewife

Share It Link Party at The Winthrop Chronicles

Tasteful Tuesday at Naptime Creations

Fluster's Creative Muster Party at Fluster Buster

The Creative Spark at Clean and Scentsible

Homemade by You at Made to be a Momma

Trendy Tuesday at Sweet Little Gals

Savvy Southern Style

Love Grows Wild

Coastal Charm

Adventures of a DIY Mom

Take It On Tuesday 

If It's Not Baroque
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia